diff --git a/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.c b/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.c
index d3d6ec455151..848e4af6e10e 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.c
@@ -2433,8 +2433,12 @@ static int ftdi_get_modem_status(struct usb_serial_port *port,
 			FTDI_SIO_GET_MODEM_STATUS_REQUEST_TYPE,
 			0, priv->interface,
 			buf, len, WDR_TIMEOUT);
-	if (ret < 0) {
+
+	/* NOTE: We allow short responses and handle that below. */
+	if (ret < 1) {
 		dev_err(&port->dev, "failed to get modem status: %d\n", ret);
+		if (ret >= 0)
+			ret = -EIO;
 		ret = usb_translate_errors(ret);
 		goto out;
 	}